These pictures bring back fond memories of life in Kyushu Japan in the 90s.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
COSMOS FLOWERS IN BLOOM, IWATSUKI CITY JAPAN
My friend Miura-san sent me these beautiful pictures he took during his visit to Iwatuski city a few days ago. These beautiful Cosmos flowers are in full bloom now (Autumn) in Japan.
Friday, September 18, 2009
THE PALACE HOTEL KOTA KINABALU
The Palace Hotel, formerly known as the Berjaya Palace, was established back in the 80s. It is situated on the hill opposite the popular Karamunsing shopping complex. I joined a few tour operators to inspect this 160 rooms property some weeks ago. It was a pleasant surprise to see such a huge difference to this hotel compared to my last visit some 10 years ago.
This hotel has recently undergone an extensive makeover. It now features a fresh new look with improved accommodation and facilities which include a gym, SPA, Sauna, steam room, swimming pool, karaoke lounge and a Jacuzzi
The upgraded lobby and the receiption area.
This superior twin is spacious for two and equipped with modern amenities.The new interior definitely got the " thumbs-up" from the inspection team.
Coffee/tea making facility and complementary mineral water in all rooms.
Safe deposit box is also availabe in the room
LCD TV in most of the rooms
A Deluxe "King" double
The room rate is priced reasonably from about RM160 + breakfast for 2 per night. It is only about 15 minutes from the International Airport and 5 minutes drive to to the city center. We rated this hotel as 3.5 star.
This hotel has recently undergone an extensive makeover. It now features a fresh new look with improved accommodation and facilities which include a gym, SPA, Sauna, steam room, swimming pool, karaoke lounge and a Jacuzzi 
The upgraded lobby and the receiption area.
This superior twin is spacious for two and equipped with modern amenities.The new interior definitely got the " thumbs-up" from the inspection team.
Coffee/tea making facility and complementary mineral water in all rooms.Safe deposit box is also availabe in the room
LCD TV in most of the rooms A Deluxe "King" double 
The room rate is priced reasonably from about RM160 + breakfast for 2 per night. It is only about 15 minutes from the International Airport and 5 minutes drive to to the city center. We rated this hotel as 3.5 star. Tuesday, September 8, 2009
PAPAR TOWN
Papar is 38 kms south of Kota Kinabalu and is situated right at the bank of the Papar river. It is basically an agricultural district with huge area of rice fields and tropical fruits orchards. It has also a strong fishing community. The population is about 108,000. 
Entering the town via the bridge. 
There are still a number of old shops like this one in town.
New shops in the same area. 
The Central market 
I frequent this roadside stall whenever I am in Papar. We had a good lunch before leaving town
.
The "Char Siew" (BBQ pork) Omelette
Fish in sweet and sour sauce
An old government quarter like this one built after the 2nd world war.
This is a smaller version of the "longan" In Sabah also known as "mata kuching" or "Cat's eye"
There are at least 14 varieties of local mango in Sabah. The most popular ones are the middle size like those above. The skin remained green even where they are ripe.
The ever popular Mangosteen
Star fruits
"Tarap" is a unique fruit, found only in Northern Borneo and nowhere else. When ripe, just open the fruit by hand and enjoy the cluster of sweet white flesh. It is one of my favourite. 
An open Tarap
One of the "wild" durian species in Borneo, found in the deep jungle, another favourite of the locals. They are extremely high in cholesterol content. It's a "no touch" for me!
Entering the town via the bridge. .
Papar is one of the stops on the British North Borneo 140 kms railway line from Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) to the interior town of Tenom. This railway line was established back in the late 1880s. The train services on this line had been operating since then but was suspended in April 2006 for upgrading work on the line. The completion date was supposed to be in May 2008 however, to date the work has not been completed. 
The Papar river with two bridges, one for the train and the other for vehicles.
The Papar river with two bridges, one for the train and the other for vehicles.
There are still a number of old shops like this one in town.
New shops in the same area. The Central market I frequent this roadside stall whenever I am in Papar. We had a good lunch before leaving town
.The "Char Siew" (BBQ pork) Omelette
Sayur manis (Sabah vegetables) Soup
Fish in sweet and sour sauce
An old government quarter like this one built after the 2nd world war."Lembu" can be seen roaming near the town area. I captured this feeding moment.
.
We stopped at one of the roadside stalls to check-out the fruits in season. Surprisingly, they were not any cheaper than in the Kota Kinabalu city market.
This is a smaller version of the "longan" In Sabah also known as "mata kuching" or "Cat's eye" 
There are at least 14 varieties of local mango in Sabah. The most popular ones are the middle size like those above. The skin remained green even where they are ripe.
The ever popular Mangosteen 
Star fruits
"Tarap" is a unique fruit, found only in Northern Borneo and nowhere else. When ripe, just open the fruit by hand and enjoy the cluster of sweet white flesh. It is one of my favourite. An open Tarap
One of the "wild" durian species in Borneo, found in the deep jungle, another favourite of the locals. They are extremely high in cholesterol content. It's a "no touch" for me!
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